ALFRED, NY — Alfred University head softball coach Gino Olivieri was honored by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) at its annual awards banquet, held Sept. 28 in Cape Cod, MA.

Olivieri was cited for being named the 2010 ECAC Upstate Coach of the Year. Olivieri guided the team to a 37-8 record last season (13-1 Empire 8 Conference) and the school’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III national championship tournament.

The 37 wins in 2010 shattered the team record for wins in a season. In addition to making the NCAAs, the Saxons won a share of their first-ever Empire 8 regular season title, going 13-1 in conference games, as Olivieri earned Empire 8 Coach of the Year honors. AU also earned its first-ever national ranking and four times beat nationally-ranked teams.

Set to enter his sixth season as the Saxons’ head softball coach, Oliveri has a 121-70 career record at Alfred, with the 121 wins ranking first all-time at AU. He has twice earned Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year honors.